AROYA

Shipping Arabia, October 10, 2026 – The AROYA cruise ship visited Egypt’s Sokhna Port on Sunday, October 4, carrying 1,327 tourists of various nationalities. The vessel arrived from Sharm El Sheikh and berthed at the DP World terminal within Sokhna Port, which operates under the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE).

The cruise ship is owned by Cruise Saudi, a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF). Its visit formed part of an Egyptian itinerary that included Sharm El Sheikh, Sokhna and Alexandria.

During the Sokhna port call, passengers were scheduled to travel to Cairo for sightseeing excursions before returning to the vessel on the same day. The visit highlighted the port’s role in accommodating international cruise ships and facilitating access to Egypt’s tourism destinations.

AROYA Cruise Ship Specifications and Sokhna Port Call

The Malta-flagged AROYA measures 303 meters in length, with a beam of 39.2 meters and a draft of 8.2 meters. Rhapsody served as the vessel’s shipping agent during the visit.

Following its arrival from Sharm El Sheikh, the cruise ship berthed at the terminal operated by DP World at Sokhna Port. The vessel was scheduled to depart later that evening for Alexandria Port, continuing its cruise itinerary along Egypt’s coastline.

The port call brought 1,327 international tourists to Sokhna, with Cairo included in the planned shore excursion program. Passengers were expected to return aboard before the ship’s scheduled evening departure.

SCZONE Highlights Sokhna Port’s Cruise Handling Capabilities

According to the Suez Canal Economic Zone, the arrival of AROYA demonstrated Sokhna Port’s operational readiness and its ability to accommodate different types of vessels.

SCZONE emphasized that the port maintains the operational capabilities required to handle vessel calls in accordance with high standards of efficiency and safety. The cruise ship’s visit also reflected the port’s role in supporting maritime tourism alongside its wider shipping activities.

The economic zone continues to work on improving the efficiency and operational readiness of its ports. These efforts aim to strengthen their ability to receive vessels and support maritime traffic, international trade and tourism.

Supporting Egypt’s Maritime and Cruise Tourism Activities

SCZONE considers the development of its port infrastructure and operational capabilities an important component of strengthening Egypt’s position within regional and international maritime transport networks.

The authority’s ongoing efforts focus on enhancing port readiness and improving services for different vessel categories, including cruise ships.

AROYΑ’s visit to Sokhna Port formed part of these maritime activities, connecting a Red Sea port call with planned tourism excursions to Cairo and an onward voyage to Alexandria.

By continuing to improve port capabilities and operational efficiency, SCZONE aims to support shipping, trade and tourism while reinforcing the position of its ports within the regional and international maritime industry.

Source: Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE)

Shipping Arabia, October 4, 2026 – Aqaba Port welcomed the AROYA cruise ship from Jeddah with approximately 3,400 tourists and around 1,200 crew members on board, supporting the continued growth of Aqaba cruise tourism and the city’s position within the regional cruise network.

The ship’s arrival forms part of growing cruise activity connecting destinations across the Red Sea region. AROYA operates a regular itinerary beginning in Jeddah, calling at Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt and Aqaba before returning to Jeddah.

The route enhances tourism connectivity between regional ports and creates additional opportunities for the development of cruise tourism across the region.

Aqaba Cruise Tourism Connects Regional Destinations

AROYA’s regular itinerary links Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan through a multi-destination cruise route. The ship’s Aqaba call gives passengers access to some of Jordan’s major tourism attractions while strengthening Aqaba’s role as a cruise destination.

During the visit, passengers joined tourism programs covering key attractions in Aqaba, Petra and Wadi Rum. Relevant authorities provided the required facilities and coordinated transportation services and guided tours to support smooth operations throughout the call.

The arrangements were designed to facilitate passenger movements and provide visitors with access to the destinations included in the tourism program.

ASEZA Seeks to Attract More Cruise Calls

Dr. Thabet Al-Nabulsi, Commissioner for Tourism and Youth Affairs at the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA), said welcoming cruise ships forms part of the authority’s efforts to strengthen the cruise tourism sector and attract additional cruise voyages.

According to Al-Nabulsi, increased cruise activity also contributes to commercial and service sectors linked to tourism and supports the local economy.

ASEZA continues to develop the Aqaba cruise tourism ecosystem by improving the readiness of facilities and services. These efforts are intended to reinforce Aqaba’s position as an integrated tourism destination and strengthen its role within the regional cruise network.

Regional Cruise Activity Supports Aqaba’s Tourism Position

The AROYA call highlights Aqaba’s role within a regional cruise itinerary connecting Jeddah, Sharm El Sheikh and Aqaba. The route provides cruise passengers with access to destinations across the three countries while strengthening tourism connectivity between their ports.

For Aqaba, cruise calls also connect maritime tourism activity with the wider tourism offering in Petra and Wadi Rum. ASEZA’s continued focus on facilities, services and operational coordination supports its efforts to attract more cruise voyages and expand Aqaba’s participation in regional cruise tourism.

Source: Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority